Time-controlled apparatus.



B. FLATOW.

TIME CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1914. 1, 1 27,750. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

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E. PLATOW.

TIME CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1914.

1,127,750. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

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E. FLATOW.

TIME CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1914.

1,127,750. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTQE.

EIVIIL FLATOW, 0F BROOKLYN, NET/V YORK.

TIME-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

Application filed June 17, 1914.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that L EMIL FLATOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at 160 Eldert street, Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Time Controlled Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to time-controlled apparatus of that type wherein a device is periodically actuated. In the embodiment disclosed, the mechanism is in tended for the periodical operation of an electric switch, but is not necessarily limited to such use.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple compact mechanism which will operate at desired periods, and effectively move the switch or other device the desired distance.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein z- Figure l is a rear elevation of the mechanism, with portions unnecessary to an understanding of the structure removed in order to avoid confusion. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views, respectively, on the lines l4t and 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the mech anism for returning the main detent. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating the operation of the supplemental detent.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The mechanism can be embodied within a case similar to that of the ordinary alarm clock, and in fact portions of an alarm clock movement, by modification, may be utilized. A suitable supporting frame 8 is employed, on which may be mounted the usual dial 9, and in this frame is arranged any ordinary or well known time movement. The time movement has not been shown in detail. It consists of the usual spring motor, indicated at 10, which is geared. as indicated at 11.. to the shafts 12 and 13 carrying respectively the minute hand 14 and hour hand 15. As illustrated. these two shafts 12 and 13 are geared together, so that they will have the proper relative movements. and these gears include a pinion 16. Inasmuch as the pinion 1 6 is the only part of the mechanism directly associated with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915. Serial No. 845,709.

the time-controlled mechanism, and as these features of a time movement are well known, it is believed to be unnecessary to describe this portion of the structure in greater detail.

In the lower portion of naled a shaft 17 carrying provided with a socket 19 adapted to receive the key of an electric switch, or other memher to be operated, the key being held in the slot and to the head by a set screw 20. A spring motor 21 is provided with a large gear wheel 22 that is in direct mesh with a pinion 23 mounted on the shaft 17, so that when said motor is in operation, it will be evident that the head 18 will be rotated. rinother pinion 24, mounted on a shaft 25, is also in mesh with the gear wheel 22 of the motor, and this shaft 25 carries a rotatable arm 26. The arm 26, and consequently the motor and the head 18, are normally held against rotation by a detent. this detent comprising a swinging plate 27 pivoted at 23 and having a stud 29 that is movable into and out of the path of the end of the arm 26. The detent is moved out of the path of said arm 26 by a spring 30 connected to the lower end of the plate 27, and to a portion of the frame. It is held in its operative position, or in other words in the path of the arm 26 by a swinging latch 31, having a tooth 32 that engages behind shoulder 33 formed on the upper edge of the plate 2 This latch is moved to its operathe frame is jourtive position by a spring 3- connected thereto and to a portion of the frame as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3, it will be noted that a gear wheel 35 is in mesh with the pinion 16 of the time movement, and this gear wheel is rotatably mounted on a shaft 36. A yielding friction bearing 37. however. is employed so that the shaft 36 will ordinarily be driven by the gear wheel On the front end of the shaft 36, and located in advance of the dial. may be provided a pointer 38. The shaft 36 and pointer 38 may be turned with respect to the gear wheel 35 by the mechanism shown more particularly in Fig. 2. A sleeve 39 is rotatably and slidably mounted on the rear end of the shaft 36 and is provided at its inner end with a flange -10 having a tooth 41 thatis movable into engagement with the teeth of a wheel 42 fixed to the shaft 36. A spring 43, interposed between the wheel 42 a head 18 that is and the flange 40, normally holds the sleeve 39 in its rearward position, with the tooth 41 out of engagement with said wheel. The sleeve 39 is provided with a suitable rearwardly extending indicating pin 44, which cofiiperates with an indicating dial 45 formed upon a bracket 46 carried by the rear frame, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 1. Secured to the shaft 36, is a flange 47, which carries one, two or more pins 48 that thus revolve around said shaft, as it rotates, the number of the pins depending upon the number of times the mechanism is to be operated. It will thus be evident that the shaft 36 rotates continuously with the time move ments, and that the pins 48 are carried around with said shaft. However, by manipulating the sleeve 39, the shaft can be rotated with respect to its driving gears 16 and 35, and the relation of the pins with respect to the gearing and the time of operation of the switch can thus be varied.

Pivoted at 49 and extending over the shaft 36 and pins 48, is an arm 50 urged down wardly by a spring 51 that bears thereupon. This arm has an enlargement 52 that is located in the path of the pins 48 so that said arm is periodically raised by the pins, and as they pass ofi the projection, thearm will drop under the impulse of the spring 51. It is believed that this will be evident by reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The free end of the arm has an extension 53 that is located under an offset extension 54 formed upon the latch 31. Thus, it will be evident that when the arm 50 is raised, the latch will. be raised and the detent 27. released, so that the spring 30 will act to swing said detent from under the arm 26 and permit the motor 21 to operate. The said detent 27 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, is provided with a rearwardly and upwardly extending finger 55, and a gear wheel 56, carried by the shaft 25,

I has a in 57 that is arran ed to en a e said I D b b finger and swing the detent after its release and movement, backwardly, to its original or operative position. The outward move: ment of the detent is limited by a stop 57 The gear wheel 56 is in mesh with a pinion 58 carried by a shaft 59 that carries an other gear wheel 60 meshing with a pinion 61 mounted on a shaft 62 that is provided with a fan 63. The gear wheel 60 carries a pin 64, and this pin is adapted to be engaged by a temporary detent 65 formed by the depending end of a swinging arm 66 pivoted in the frame at 67, and urged downwardly by a spring 68 that bears thereupon. This arm 66 is also provided with a cam surface 69 located in the path of the pins 48. In the normal position of the arm 66, the supplemental detent 65 is out of the path of the pin 64, but when the arm 50 is raised by either one of the pins 48 to release the main detent 27, then the arm 66 is elevated into the path of the pin 64, so that when the motor is released, it can only move an exceedingly small distance, as the pin 64 will strike the supplemental detent 65 and hold it. As the pin 48 continues to move, however, it passes from under the cam surface 69, releasing the arm 66, and permitting it to drop. lVhen it thus drops, the motor is then freed and can move sufliciently to turn the head 18 one-quarter of a complete rotation. By that time the detent 27 has been returned, the arm 26 will strike upon the stud 29, the latch 31 will also be released and engage the detent and the parts will be ready for the next operation.

In order to prevent the latch 31 dropping too quickly before the detent has been returned, the shaft 25 is provided with a cam member 70 having a recess portion 71 and the arm 50 is provided with a lug 72 that normally rests in said socket, but is raised out of the same when the arm 50 is elevated. When the parts are permitted to have the preliminary movement and are still stopped by the supplemental detent, the cam 70 moves sufficiently so that the lug 72 will rest on its raised portion and said cam will thus hold the arm elevated until it is given one complete revolution.

Briefly described, the operation is substantially as follows: The apparatus, having been suitably connected to an electric switch with the parts in the position shown in the various figures, with the exception of Fig. 6, it will be evident that the switch will be held against rotation. As the shaft 36 rotates under the action of the time movement, one of the pins 48 will gradually move beneath the projection 52 and cam portion 69 of the arms 50 and 66. Therefore the latch 31, which holds the main detent 27, will be raised to release said detent, and the spring 30, acting on the detent, will move it from beneath the arm 26, At the same time, the supplemental detent is being moved up into the path ofthe pin 64, on the gear wheel 7 60, so thatwhile the motor is released, it has but a small movement, for it will again be stopped by the supplemental detent. As the pin 48 continues to move, it will release both the arms 50 and 66. The arm 50,however cannot drop downwardly, as it is now supported by the cam 70. The arm 66, however, will move downwardly until it disengages the pin 64, and the spring 21 is thus free to operate, As it moves it gives the head 18 to which the switch is connected a quarter of a turn, and as this quarter of a turn is completed, the pin 57 on the gear wheel 56, striking the finger 55 of the main detent 27, will move said detent rearwardly, so that the rotating arm 26 will strike upon the same and'the motor be stopped. By this time, the cam 70 is in a position to permit the ar 50 to p ete y r p, there y P rmitting the latch 31 to move downwardly and reengage the main detent 27 to hold it. This cycle of operation is therefore repeated as often as a pin as driven by the time movement engages the arms 50 and 68.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In time controlled appa atus of the character setforth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for moving the same, of a movable detent for the motor, a device for holding the detent in its operative position, time controlled mechanism for operating the holding device to permit the movement of the detent to a position to release the motor, and means actuated by the motor for returning the detent to its operative position.

2. In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for mov ing the same, of a movable detent for the motor, a swinging device for holding the detent in its operative position, means for automatically swinging the detent to inoperative position, time controlled mechanism for operating the holding device to permit the movement of the detent to a position to release the motor, and means actuated by the motor for returning the detent against the action of its moving means to its operative position.

In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for moving the same, of a rotary arm geared to the motor, a movable detent normally in the path of the arm for holding the motor against movement, a device for holding the detent in position to engage the arm, a spring for moving the detent when the holding device is disengaged therefrom, and a device operated by the motor and engaging the detent to move it back to its operative position in the path of the arm against the action of the spring.

l. In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for moving the same, of a rotary arm geared to the motor, a swinging detent normally located in the path of the arm for holding the motor, a spring for moving the detent out of the path of the arm, a rotatable device driven by the motor and engaging the detent to swing it back into the path of the arm, a swinging latch that engages the detent to hold it in its operative position in the path of the arm, time controlled mechanism, and means operated thereby for swinging the holding device to release the detent.

5. In time controll d apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for actuating the same, of a main detent for normally holding the motor against movement, automatic means for moving the main detent to an inoperative position, a supple mental detent for temporarily holding the motor against movement when the main detent is in inope 'ative position, said temporary detent being normally in an inoperative position, a device for holding the main detent in its operative position and againstmovement by the automatic moving means, and time-controlled mechanism for actuating the holding device to release the main detent and permit its movement by said automatic moving means, simultaneousl moving the supplemental detent to its opera tive position, and afterward moving the supplemental. detent to its inoperative position to release the motor.

6. In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for actuating the same, of a main detent for normally holding the motor against movement, a spring for moving the main detent to an inoperative position, a supplemental detentfor temporarily holding the motor against movement when the main detent is in inoperative position, said temporary detent being normally in an inoperative position, a device for holding the main detent in its operative position and against movement by the spring, and time controlled mechanism for actuating the holding device to release the main detent and permit its movement by the spring, simultaneously moving the supple mental detent to its operative position, after ward moving the supplemental detent to its inoperative position to release the motor, and returning the main detent to its operative position.

7. In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for actu ating the same, of a main detent for normally holding the motor against movement, a supplemental detent for temporarily holding the motor against movement when the main detent is in inoperative position, said temporary detent being normally in inoperative position, a device for holding the main detent in its operative position, a time movement, a device operated thereby for simultaneously moving the holding device to re lease the main detent and for moving the supplemental detent to its operative position to hold the motor when released by the main detent, said device afterward releasing both the supplemental detent and holding device, and a device operated by the time movement to return the main detent to its operative position where it is reengaged by the holding device.

8. In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated and a motor for actuating the same, of a swinging main detent, an arm criven by the motor and engaging said detent, a spring for urging the swinging detent to its inoperative position, a holding device that engages the detent to hold it in the path of the arm and prevent its movement by the spring, another device driven by the motor, a supplemental detent movable into the path of the second device, a time movement, and means operated by the time movement for moving the holding device to release the main detent and permit the spring to move it out of the path of the arm, moving the supplemental detent to a position to engage the second driven device o1 the motor and then permitting the movement of the supplemental detent to a position to release the motor.

9. In time controlled apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with the device to be operated, and a spring motor for moving the same, of a rotary arm geared to the motor, a swinging main detent normally in the path of the arm for holding the motor against rotation, a spring connected to the detent for moving the same out of the path of the arm, a swinging latch engaging the detent for holding it in the path of the arm, a rotatable pin geared to the motor, a supplemental detent normally out of the path of the pin, but movable into said path for holding the motor when released by the main detent, a time movement, a revoluble pin driven by the time movement and engaging the supplemental detent to move the same into the path of the pin and then permitting its movement out of said path, and a swinging arm operated by the revoluble pin and engaging the latch to release the so Witnesses LOUIS L. LEVINE, SIMON M. SELEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

